It was only a month ago that the Jets’ once-promising 2023 season seemed lost, with Aaron Rodgers sidelined by a torn Achilles, Zach Wilson struggling to show improvement in his stead and New York dropping two ugly losses to Dallas and New England.
But cut to Sunday, and after a surprising, come-from-behind 20-14 victory over the previously undefeated Philadelphia Eagles — their first-ever win in 13 tries over their NFC neighbors to the south — the Jets are entering their bye at 3-3.
New York isn’t just fine with .500 football, though. Despite Rodgers’ (likely) season-ending injury, the Jets still have playoff and Super Bowl aspirations.
“For me, it hasn’t changed since he’s been down. I don’t think it’s changed for anybody else,” defensive captain C.J. Mosley said after the win. “Has your goal changed? It shouldn’t have.”
Running back Breece Hall, who tallied 93 total yards and the go-ahead touchdown against Philly, added, “We can compete with any team in the league.”
After going toe-to-toe with the Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs in a Week 4 loss, the Jets took it to the reigning NFC victors on Sunday and, this time, came out on top.
New York’s defense held Philly scoreless for its final seven possessions and forced Jalen Hurts to throw three interceptions, tied for his career high. The Eagles didn’t punt on a single one of their fourth quarter drives, but they didn’t score either (INT, FG miss, INT, turnover on downs). Philly, which had scored at least 23 points in each of its five games this season, was held under 20 with Hurts under center for the first time since Week 11, 2022.
After frustrating Patrick Mahomes and Russell Wilson in consecutive weeks, Jets coach Robert Saleh couldn’t help but credit his defense for discombobulating its latest opponent.
“During the initial six weeks, we’ve faced a series of challenging quarterbacks. Although we haven’t secured wins in all games, we’ve made every quarterback feel embarrassed,” stated Saleh. “I am extremely proud of the resilience and performance of our defense.”
Without four of their top six corners, including Sauce Gardner and D.J. Reed, the Jets’ defense mostly held Philly’s skill position players in check — A.J. Brown was a force with seven catches for 131 yards, but D'Andre Swift earned just 18 rushing yards on 10 carries. By pressuring Hurts heavily up front — 42% of his dropbacks, per Next Gen Stats — New York forced plays to break down and Hurts to either make miraculous plays or poor decisions. There were more of the latter on Sunday.
“Expecting a win after turning the ball over four times is unrealistic,” Hurts informed reporters, referencing Philly’s 4-0 loss in the turnover battle against the Jets.
What has sparked a change in Gang Green following their defeats to the Cowboys and Patriots in Weeks 2 and 3? The answer could be Rodgers’ return to the facility and MetLife Stadium on game days. On Sunday, the star quarterback was spotted walking without the aid of crutches, practicing throws on the field before the game, and standing on the sideline throughout the match.
The presence of Rodgers appears to have influenced the team’s confidence.
“Everyone is astonished that he’s even able to walk. His ability to stand on the sideline for the entire time is just unbelievable,” said Saleh. “He’s a freak of nature.”
With an injury-riddled starting lineup, particularly on the offensive line and in the secondary, the Jets pulled off their most impressive win in years — which is saying something considering the remarkability of their surreal Week 1 comeback victory over Buffalo. And after enduring a month-plus “gauntlet” of opponents expected and unexpected, New York is going into the bye on a high, ready to take on all comers.
“That victory was necessary for us, and I believed that all the guys continued to strive. I thought the entire team was fiercely competing,” said Wilson. “This team never gave up.”
